Hi there.

I was just doing some re-reading of old posts. Man, we used to actually write posts. We would inform. Tell stories. Try to be witty. Or funny. Or interesting. Somewhere along the way we got derailed. I blame grad school. Grad School overwhelmed me with a general malaise regarding technology. Or twitter. Is that too cliche? Everyone is blaming twitter nowadays.

Well, I don't really have anything interesting to talk about. I merely wanted to stop for a second and say, "hi." Thanks for stopping by. Thanks for your years of reading. Thanks for sticking with us.

Here's a song we recorded the other day, it's a work in progress, but, then again, so is most everything, right? Hope you like it, and we promise to write more in the future.

Today - Mouse & the Billionaire

PS There's a new mixtape up. It aint half bad.

Labels: Life, Music

posted by M @ 10:59 AM - 3 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

I just put this guy on a plane. He is, as we speak, on his way to conquer the world, via Scotland.

He will return to NY in one year, bekilted and with his brain filled with knowledge.

We'll miss you, Mr. Dumas. Knock 'em dead.

Labels: Life

posted by M @ 8:30 PM - 2 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

Lola-cat (the fat one) has decided that our apartment is boring. She mopes around and meows at the door in a my-life-is-so-mundane-I-need-to-get-out-and-see-the-world kind of way.

Meow.

Meow.

Apparently the copious amount of smelly cat food that used to be able to calm her restless spirit is no longer good enough. She can't be swayed by catnip-filled mice toys, head scratches, or by chasing her around the house when I go crazy after hour upon hour of ceaseless mewing.

And this all is compounded by the amount of work I need to do. Here she's bored, and I can barely fit enough hours in to the day. In fact, it seems as though my general work load is inversely related to her level of comfort. Which got me thinking. What if I can train her to do simple chores around the house? Like the dishes. Or dusting. Folding the laundry. Filling up my coffee mug. Baking bread. Taking out the garbage. This way, she gets the satisfaction of a job well done and is distracted from her previous useless and mundane life. And I get to focus on the bigger projects at hand, instead of worrying myself over the basics.

It's seems like a perfect solution to me.

So excuse me, I've got a cat who needs a broom tied to her tail.

Labels: Life, Meow

posted by M @ 7:36 AM - 5 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

Wow. This is incredible. It is such an honour to be up here right now. I mean, who would could have conceived, 4 and half years ago, that this little web site could have accomplished so much? It's really been a dream come true and...

We're sorry, we're tearing up a little here...

We promised ourselves we wouldn't do this... it's just so incredible.

We'd like first and foremost to thank Tim Berners Lee, we really couldn't have done it without you. And Blogspot. Wikipedia, you have helped us research the validity of so many anecdotes, and Google Images, you have been such a support.

And, last, but certainly not least, without whom we could never have arrived at 500 posts, we thank Silly Cat Pictures.

Thank you for believing in us. Thank you, thank you. Thank you. We love you all!

Labels: Life, Meow

posted by M @ 4:45 AM - 1 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

posted by M @ 10:17 AM - 1 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

So long sweetheart

Labels: Life

posted by M @ 4:17 AM - 2 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

They're building a new building west of us.

In ten days we will no longer be able to see the Empire State Building.

Human achievement obstructing human achievement.

*Update - It's gone

Labels: Life

posted by M @ 8:12 AM - 5 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

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posted by M @ 11:30 AM - 0 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

View more photos

Labels: Life, Photography

posted by L @ 10:10 AM - 1 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

I'll be honest. Baseball is making me sad. We moved to one of the greatest baseball towns in the country, where Ruth used to build houses, and I can't find a single person to watch the all-star game with me. I miss sitting at friend's houses, drinking beers and talking stats. I miss Dodger stadium. I miss Dodger games. I have had a real hard time even listening to Dodger games since first pitch is usually at 10:15 pm. I miss Vin. I miss Dodger dogs. I had a brief fling with trying to follow the Mets last season, but it just isn't the same.

Oh, Bums, why did you leave Brooklyn? We could be so great together here. I could sit on the stoop enjoying a frosty beverage and listen to you lose game after game. But I wouldn't care. All my friends would talk bad about you, but I would stand up for you. But I suppose you're better off in the wide open spaces, free to roam. So, Ol' Blue, thanks for the good times while they lasted. I hope to see you again soon, but for now, show my friends out there a good time. Don't let them forget how wonderful you can be.

Labels: Baseball, Life

posted by M @ 9:19 AM - 4 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

posted by M @ 3:17 AM - 3 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

posted by L @ 8:18 PM - 0 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

I don't often think about how fast the world moves or the relationship of our planet to the other heavenly bodies. However, these facts were brought to mind when I took this picture.

In the time it took for me to get my camera out and snap this picture, the moon had moved from the center of the gap between these two buildings, slightly to the right. Seconds later, it was completely hidden from view. I felt very glad to have been there when I was. If I had been walking down that street one minute later, I would have missed it entirely.

Labels: Life, Photography

posted by L @ 10:46 PM - 2 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

posted by M @ 10:48 AM - 8 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

posted by M @ 10:25 AM - 2 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

posted by M @ 12:09 PM - 2 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

Hello, friends.

Right now, L- and I are more than halfway through our Holy Week juice fast cleanse. This entails drinking 6 specially made juices each day for 1 week and eating no food with the hope that all of the bad toxins we have amassed throughout the last 6 months will be flushed out.

I am currently drinking juice #2 - a delicious blend of pineapple, apple, and mint. It is quite tasty (though juice #6 - a savory brew of water, cashews, agave nectar, vanilla bean, and cinnamon, is a much more delectable treat which we have lovingly begun referring to as dessert juice).

Yes. Yes, I know. It sounds, well, like we have become hippies. But, we have not. We still eat meat. In fact, last week we enjoyed a delicious pig's head terrine. And, of course, we still, probably much too frequently, indulge in a savory boston creme donut (or two). But it seems proper to take care of our apparently rapidly aging bodies, while also taking some time to reflect on our lives.

Here are some of those reflections:

1. I am not hungry, nor have I been all that famished during the week, but I have been amazed at the frequency I think about munching on some food. It is fascinating, realizing how often I eat due to boredom or habit rather than actual hunger.


2. Drinking this much liquid really makes for some frequent bathroom breaks. This can be very difficult in a city without public toilets. Recently, though, New York has undergone some real breakthroughs in the public toilet area. They have installed over 171 since the past 10 years, though you may have a hard time finding them. They say "Starbucks" on the sign outside.


3. And, lastly, I really really really want a carnitas taco

If you are at all curious please visit our juice-maker and cleanse-conductor Blueprint Cleanse for more information.

Labels: Life

posted by M @ 10:11 AM - 3 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

Yesterday we went to the store and bought a vacuum cleaner.

It is the best vacuum cleaner that we have ever owned. It is an amazing marvel of science and technology. It has a special tool to clean off cat hair from the couch and rug. It has a button you push that automatically winds the chord. It has multiple attachments and extensions that snap into place like something out of Voltron. Rosie the robot can't hold a candle to our new vacuum cleaner.

After we got it home, we unpacked it and took turns vacuuming the couch for fun! I know what you're thinking, "What is going on here? When did you two get old and boring? When did buying a vacuum become the most exciting thing in your week?"

And I answer you: "I have no idea. But you know what they say, cleanliness is next to Godliness, and at the rate we're going we'll be canonized next month. Zing!

Labels: Life

posted by M @ 11:01 AM - 3 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

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posted by M @ 11:01 AM - 1 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

We spent last weekend in beautiful Stockbridge, MA. We slept inside this Norman Rockwell painting. In the building on the far right, to be exact. The centuries-old Red Lion Inn, where we had some delicious breakfast, wonderful snow-covered times, and a fantastic old-fashioned at the old-fashioned bar.

We also visited the Norman Rockwell Museum where we discovered we liked Mr. Rockwell, as they constantly refer to him, a whole lot more than we expected.

Labels: Design, Fun, Life

posted by M @ 10:37 AM - 4 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

The New Yorker recently featured an enlightneing article about Raymond Carver's editorial process under Gordon Lish. In the same issue they ran a never-before published Carver short story, "Beginners", with the Lish-edited version on the web. It is fascinating to get a peek behind the curtain of this profitable but frustrating relationship.

I was reminded of this today, after reading the hilarious piece, Famous Authors Predict the Winner of Super Bowl XLII, by Shane Ryan. Here is the Carver excerpt:

Raymond Carver

I really admire what the Giants have done this season. It isn't often you see a team struggle early, eke out a series of road wins, and still manage to peak at the perfect moment. It's a rare occurrence, I'll say that much.

On the other side, you've got football's version of Goliath. Experts tell me the Patriots are the strongest team in NFL history. From the moment they beat the Colts, they've been earmarked as Super Bowl Champions. It's tough to pick against an undefeated record.

All that being said, I've been so impressed with Eli Manning's development these last four weeks that I'm willing to take the underdog. What can I say? I believe in the New York Giants.

Prediction: Giants 31, Patriots 28

Raymond Carver, edited by Gordon Lish

It isn't a thing you see often, I'll say that much.

They tell me this is Goliath.

I believe in Giants.

Prediction: G.

Funny. You should check it out. The Cormac McCarthy and Kerouac predictions made me laugh as well. So have a good Super Bowl weekend, y'all. I won't be watching since I'll be slinging booze to other people who won't be watching, but I hope it is a thoroughly entertaining and enlightening experience.

Labels: Fun, Life, The Drink

posted by M @ 1:26 PM - 2 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

posted by M @ 9:24 AM - 2 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

Members of the board, I have called this meeting together to address some fairly serious issues. Due to the time-constraints I know we are all under, I won't dally any more than necessary.

First, I would like to extend our warmest welcome to MC Hammerheadshark, artistic/personnel radical and class-act, who has choses us as his first stop in internet discovery each day.

Second. I ate kangaroo last week. Just thought you should know.

Third. It has come to my attention that Lasagna Cat is a hilarious web site featuring live-action reenactments of Garfield's (un)funniest moments over the last few decades. Not to be missed.

Fourth. If anyone has had ideas about upgrading to Leopard and still using their M-Audio peripherals, just abandon them now.

Fifth. Did you know that Lightnin' Hopkins drank a pint-glass of gin everyday and that Leadbelly murdered a couple of people? Fascinating.

Sixth. There's finally a new mixtape up. (And the one from November is finally up in the archives. The new December mixtape is really pretty good, and it features Micah McGraw with nothing but the buffalo. You should probably listen to it.

Well, that's all the time we have allotted, and, as you all know, we have tons of work to get done before next Tuesday's deadline, so get out there and make us proud.

Meeting adjourned.

Labels: Fun, Life

posted by M @ 6:58 AM - 8 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

posted by M @ 10:25 AM - 3 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

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posted by M @ 7:53 AM - 5 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

create your own at The Buereau of Communication.

Labels: Fun, Life

posted by M @ 10:57 AM - 3 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

It's Christmas eve and I'm sitting at the Dentist.

That seems to be appropriate for this trip back to the Southern California: good times and sad times going hand-in-hand. We've had fantastic emotional highs and excitement peppered with sad good-byes and the dread of impending return flights. Not really a blue Christmas, and definitely not a white one, more mauve.

So, Merry Christmas California. You've brought us our loved ones and graciously kept us from having a blue Christmas without them. We appreciate it.

Labels: Life

posted by M @ 10:05 AM - 6 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

Labels: Life, Meow, School

posted by M @ 6:17 PM - 5 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

posted by M @ 5:28 PM - 5 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

I'm sitting here at 1:30 in the morning listening to the Walkmen sing Nillson's Many Rivers to Cross. My eyes lose their focus from the computer screen they've been trained on for the last 40 hours and drift over to the bookshelf. They flitter about for a few seconds, before finally resting on my Canon FTb, an exceptional hand-me-down from L's grandpa Jim.

I miss photo days. I remember glorious afternoons spent with the Whalewatcher, wandering the mean streets of East LA, photographing our way back home to a six-pack of the lady in red. There is something to be said about such tactile experiences.

Labels: Life

posted by M @ 10:29 PM - 2 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

I use these Studiophile speakers. They are excellent for mixing tracks, listening to songs on my iTunes via airTunes, or, apparently as I just found out, receiving the ramblings of truckers as they drive by on the BQE.

As I sit here alone, working diligently towards the end of the semester, someone just came on my speakers insisting that it "was too much butter out there," and that he needed to "flitter on. Bye. Bu Bu Bye Bye Bye."

Well, ramble on little doggy. We'll catch you on the other side. Over and out.

Labels: Fun, Life

posted by M @ 7:39 AM - 2 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

They came; they saw; they conquered our hearts and souls, chewing them up and spitting the remnants out into infinity.

After a quick 5 days we are left sad and lonely, missing our friends all the more, but all will be well; we can look at the photos we took during their stay as well as these, that King M.O.B, himself, was nice enough to upload.

We thank you for the excellent times, dear friends. We look forward to seeing you soon, but for now...

Who's next?!

UPDATE: Guess who just got off the phone with the Lamigraws...

Labels: Life, Photography

posted by M @ 9:00 AM - 3 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

Last night, we, the O'Briens, and Dumas were taking a nice stroll down Park Avenue and, we were stopped in our tracks by this Damien Hirst window installed at the Lever House.

We instantly thought of the Sycz/Guinta clan, and had to take a picture. We then proceeded to Burger Joint and ate from one of these guys' cousins. It was delicious.

Flickr user Mayotic has some better pictures on his flickr pool. Check them out and imagine hiring Hirst to redesign your kitchen.

Labels: Design, Life

posted by M @ 10:05 AM - 2 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

Well. So far Christmastime in New York is a-plus.

No snow yet, but it's getting a little cold. We get to wear coats and hats. Small children go down slides with their scarves trailing behind. We don't feel bad whistling Christmassy tunes as we stroll down the street, because the chill on our cheeks and our breath in the air seems to prove that it really is a Winter Wonderland.

The OBrien's are coming in on Wednesday and we're going to see some big tree get lit up. Then we might go get lit up. (j/k dudes) It's going to be awesome.

photo © Ronald C Saari

Labels: Life

posted by M @ 9:06 AM - 3 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

posted by M @ 9:07 AM - 3 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

I never really liked Halloween. It's kind of creepy, and I don't need an excuse to eat candy. I don't even want to eat candy most of the time, so that works out okay. Dressing up is fun, but I can do that any day I feel like it, really.

Most importantly, it steals some of the thunder from Thanksgiving, which is a far superior holiday. Better food, better circumstances. Nobody is pounding on your door demanding free dessert (unless they're family), and the only people who look dead are those who ate too much turkey and passed out at the table.

That said, I missed the usual festivities from the California Kids, and I think this year was the first year in my life that I didn't dress up at any point around Halloween; which makes me kind of sad. I guess I'm an adult now. I was really looking forward to my Elton John Benet Ramses costume, too.

Labels: Life

posted by M @ 9:04 PM - 1 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

The baseball season has come and gone leaving most of us sad and lonely. We will have to wait far too long to see our friends again.

We'll miss you, Ground into Double Play. See you next spring, Caught Stealing. And no, I didn't forget about you, Blown Save. We've spent many a long hot summer night together. Me: hoping you'd change. You: knowing it was impossible. Well, so long friends. We'll see you in April.

April. April? That's an eternity away. That's from here to to the moon. What am I supposed to do on a lazy Saturday afternoon? Thankfully there's Spring Training, where this year we officially say farewell to Dodgertown.

Next Year.

Next Year.

p.s. iTunes is easing the pain with their MLB Classic Baseball Channel. I just bought game 7 of the 1965 Twins/Dodgers World Series. Did somebody say Koufax shutout?!

Labels: Baseball, Life

posted by M @ 9:27 AM - 3 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

When I was in elementary school I had a friend. He was my best friend, and we hung out at one of our houses almost every day. I really liked going to his house because his mom had a stash of Strawberry soda and snack foods that we didn't have at my house (little debbie snack cakes, ding-dongs, and all their equally unhealthy cousins).

He also had a small liquor store a block from his house where we would go and play Street Fighter 2, fueled by jumbo packs of Mambas and Gatorade. He played as Ken. I played as Guile (which strikes me as weirdly patriotic looking back. Or maybe I just liked his haircut). Another friend of ours loved Blanka. I bet you could do a study linking personality to the character picked in Street Fighter 2.

I haven't played SF2 in years now, but it will always be the game that reminds me of adolescence. That feeling of freedom. Leaving the house on your own with 5 dollars in quarters jangling in your pocket. Riding your bike a little farther than you are allowed. The sickly sweet taste of processed sugars.

Now that I'm older, however, I like a little classier of a game. Something that still has the turmoil of a Street Fighter 2, but with a little spiritual depth. That's why I play Bible Fight over at Adult Swim, where Biblical characters go head to head in combat. Jesus sends loaves and fishes. Moses calls a toad hailstorm. Noah induces a stampede of animals. This is the game for the contemplative man.

Labels: Fun, Life, Religion

posted by M @ 6:43 AM - 4 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

Let me start by saying that I am, and will always be a true blue Dodgers fan.

That being said, living in New York, L. and I now face the dilemma of who we root for. Mets or Yankees. Upon leaving Los Angeles, I had decided that I was going to be a Mets fan. However, after we went to our first Mets game (unfortunately a game in which they mercilessly defeated the Dodgers), I found that I did not like a) Shea Stadium, and b) Mets fans. L. has been on the fence from the get-go, primarily because Joe DiMaggio is her favorite ballplayer of all time. So now we're confused. Who do we root for?

Mets

Pros

• Underdogs


• Were not a team when the Dodgers were in Brooklyn


• Not part of the Evil Empire


• Brought baseball back to Brooklyn when they bought the Queens Kings, mving them to Coney Island, and renaming them the Brooklyn Cyclones


• Part of the National League

Cons

• Their fans are like Angels fans, upper middle-class, fratty, and kind of annoying


• Shea Stadium is ugly


• Took the place of the Dodgers in the hearts of many a fan in Brooklyn

Yankees

Pros

• A dynasty


• Part of Baseball history and home to some of the greatest who ever played


• Pinstripes

Cons

• Part of the American league


• Evil Empire


• Not only were a team in New York during the Dodgers time, but also routinely defeated them in the World Series


• Everyone who moves to New York becomes a Yankees fan, it's easy


• Steinbrenner

I think my main difficulty with the Mets is that they took the place of the Dodgers. It is painful to see. Tomorrow we go to the last regular season game for the Mets. We will leave our judgment until then, but I am starting to lose sleep over this.

Labels: Baseball, Life

posted by M @ 1:55 PM - 23 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

So, months ago, we picked up, left our beloved Southern California with it's friends, good times, solid vibes, and, of course, or little piece of paradise, Shady Lane.

Weeks later we arrived cold and tired in New York City, homeless and jobless.

The joblessness might fix itself in the near future, but for now, we do have a home.

So behold. After a tiring trek across the country. After searching wide and far for a place to lay our heads. After much frustration and sadness. We have arrived!

Home!

The Fortress of Solitude

*Update* L. just got a job!

Labels: Life

posted by M @ 9:20 AM - 16 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

Finally, after 3 weeks of waiting, we can use the internet at our house.

I will now celebrate by reading It Was 40 10 Years Ago Today: 18 Reasons 1997 Might Be The Next 1967 from the Onion A/V Club.

I will also make sure to watch all of the wonderful accompanying videos.

Then I will and pat myself on the back for actually being alive for what might, in hindsight, look like a musical revolution.

What fun!

Labels: Life, Music

posted by M @ 11:06 AM - 4 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

We have spent the last few weeks fulfilling the American dream (a.k.a furnishing our new apartment cheaply with purchases from Ikea)

I have a love hate relationship with Ikea. I love some of their designs. I hate others. I love their food. I hate their customer service.

However, I may have found something to convince me.

Behold Ikea Hacker.

This is an amazing site, featuring just what you would assume: hacks of Ikea furniture. I have been trying to set up my music-making/technology-design-hacking workspace all week, so the work-station section has been particularly exciting. The image above is of a fantastic music-making control station that someone came up with. The site is seriously overflowing of amazing ideas. Luckily, organization is one topic covered.

I know what I'll be doing in my free time for the next month.

Labels: Design, Life

posted by M @ 2:12 PM - 10 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

I am a bee.

Busy busy bee.

I buzz around the city all day long, keeping myself going with caffeine and street pizza.

I buzz from building to building.

55 W 13th St. Bzzz. 65 5th Ave. Bzzz. 2 W 13th St. 10th floor. I learn a lot about the internet buzz from my excellent classes.

I buzz on down for some delicious nectar cocktails at Pegu Club with Nate Dumas. Bzzz Bzzz Bzzz till 5 in the morning. Delicious.

I buzz back to the apartment. I sleep.

Labels: Life, School

posted by M @ 1:28 PM - 9 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

posted by M @ 11:44 AM - 3 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

Our 3rd anniversary was today. It is now over. It was awesome. We celebrated with the following things:

• Buying a new computer


• A stroll through Washington Square


• A delicious lunch of Pizza Bianca, Martinis, wonderful vegetables, and fantastic olive oil gelatto at Otto


• The North American Mammal exhibit at the Natural History Museum


• A stroll through Central Park


• Some fantastic wine at Peasant


• And, last but certainy not least Beer Milkshakes

My how the time flies. Life is good.

Labels: Life

posted by M @ 9:27 PM - 6 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

You can see it in the eyes.

Happy birthday you two. Wish we could celebrate with you.

Labels: Life

posted by M @ 7:08 AM - 3 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

posted by M @ 2:37 PM - 5 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

At last.

3,230 miles. 10 tanks of gas. Fullerton. Apple Bacon Chicken Salad. Temecula. 1 Oil Change. Scottsdale. Phoenix. Sedona. The Grand Canyon. Dairy Queen. Santa Fe. Fort Sumner. The grave of Billy the Kid. Austin. Queso. Barbeque. Waffle House. New Orleans. Georgia. Cracker Barrel. South Carolina. Virginia. Washington DC. Maryland. Philadelphia. New Jersey. Wendy's. 2 bags of sunflower seeds. 15 bottled waters. 28 cups of coffee. and, finally, New York.

We arrived to a beautiful summer day. We have had a fantastic breakfast, a nice walk in the park, and are currently relaxing with a cool beer. And next week, we start a new adventure. Namely, finding jobs and a place to live.

Ah, life.

Labels: Life, Wagons East 2007

posted by M @ 2:29 PM - 7 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

What a whirlwind couple of days. New Orleans in a day and a half, a 10 hour drive, and now we are taking a bit of a breather with the Families LaVine/Parent in Simpsonville, South Carolina.

Let me say first. Our visit to New Orleans in words and snippits: turtle soup, live jazz and a mint julep, muggy, hot, breakfast at Brennan's, bananas foster, eggs hussarde, oysters, harry potter, bourbon street, smell of barf in the streets, preservation hall, absinthe.

We had an excellent time, but we were glad to get back on the road and now take a quick respite with the family. Tomorrow we visit Micah and Emily in the City of Brotherly Love, and then, we finally arrive in Brooklyn.

Labels: Life, Wagons East 2007

posted by M @ 7:25 AM - 3 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

Austin!

Texas!

Gosses!

We awoke this morning a little foggy and slow from a full night of revelry. Queso. Beers. Margs. Breakfast Tacos. Shnozenberg. Then we spent the rest of the morning walking the lake and talking of things that do and do not matter. If we weren't on a full-fledged imperial march towards the East Coast we might be persuaded to stick around here for a few years more. We heart Family Goss. They have a nice town, a wonderful house, and incredible class.

And tomorrow? Off to New Orleans. Jambalaya!

Labels: Life, Wagons East 2007, We {Heart}...

posted by M @ 3:41 PM - 4 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

We're on the road from Santa Fe to Austin Texas. The 13 hour drive is going by quickly enough, what with sunflower seeds and visits to the grave of Billy the Kid.

Wednesday was spent visiting the best that Arizona has to offer. Sedona. The Grand Canyon. And Thursday we stayed with cousin Hillary in Santa Fe.

Tonight: team Goss!

More photos are on the Flickr set. Peep 'em.

Labels: Life, Wagons East 2007

posted by M @ 1:06 PM - 1 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

Arizona!

Last night, after a quick drive across the desert (made quicker still by Mr. Harry Potter and his half-blood prince), we arrived in Arizona.

In Scottsdale we crashed a birthday celebration dinner of Thai fusion for Pat Dodds, and we all especially liked the tropical pineapple curry. Later on we headed back to Phoenix for some wonderful Arizona night swimming and a refreshing night's sleep.

Today we leave for the Grand Canyon with a must-see pit stop in Sedona. I got two words for you. Airport Vortex!

Also, we've started a flickr photo set of the trip. There's only two in there so far, but we'll make sure to add more as we continue making our way across the land.

Labels: Food, Life, Photography, Wagons East 2007

posted by M @ 10:44 AM - 3 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

posted by M @ 8:52 AM - 5 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

We can't wait to leave.

We refuse to leave.

We are excited.

We are not looking forward to this at all.

We are overjoyed.

We are tremendously sad.

We are leaving in 4 days.

We will come to your house and hide, bury ourselves in the cool California soil and never ever leave.

It is interesting that some important transitions, things we know to be necessary and good, can be so very difficult and uncomfortable.

Labels: Life

posted by M @ 9:25 AM - 7 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

2 weeks from Sunday we will be driving away from our sweet friend, Southern California.

Bitter. Sweet.

Loose Ends.

It doesn't seem like we will be able to get everything done in time, but we will. Labeling CDs that have spent years with no informative markings. Going through stacks of papers that we thought were just decoration. Selling a plethora of items we never thought we could live without. Recording Grandpa playing jazz drums. Visiting the central coast with the best of them. Watching good friends start a new life together. And then packing up our remaining lives in a 5 by 3 foot space and driving off into the unknown.

Labels: Life

posted by M @ 11:48 AM - 2 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

Now that I have tons of free time most of it is spent packing up the house and getting ready for our big move.

Some of my time, however, is spent pondering the big questions in life. Such as this morning, when I wandered into the bathroom and stared at myself for a few minutes thinking, "Would putting in your contacts be a less tedious task if you only had one eye?"

The answer of course is, yes. It would be half as much work. Therefore, it would be half as tedious.

However, what if we had a hundred eyes. Eye exams in general would be excruciatingly long and involved. The process of putting in our contacts could take hours, days depending on the size and number of our eyes.

But, what if we had as many hands as eyes...

Labels: Life

posted by M @ 9:14 AM - 3 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

Today is my last day at Spacely's Sprockets. In T-minus 16 minutes I will forever leave my shackles behind.

No more pushing papers. No more sitting in a cubicle. No more answering phone calls. No more slaving to the man. No more coffee breaks as my only respite.

On to bigger and better things. Conquering the world. Seeing the sights. Relaxing. Maxing. Mai Tais on the beach with a good paperback novel. Taking naps on the couch.

First item on the agenda: beer!

Huzzah!

Labels: Life

posted by M @ 4:18 PM - 2 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

Battles - Race In (mp3)

When Ahdrew was here last week he turned me on to the Battles album Mirrored, which I can not get enough of. It is simply amazing.

The album, but this song in particular, reminds me of my friend Ahdrew. It is intelligent, fun, passionate, interesting, complicated, very very modern, and drums like a manafire.

He is gone now, back to Idaho to spend his time being cute with Esly, and I miss him very much. But when I listen to this I feel like he's here, and that will just have to suffice for the time being.


Love you Drew. Thanks for being a good friend. Rock and Roll.

Labels: Life, Tunesday

posted by M @ 9:51 AM - 3 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

So we're getting ready to bid farewell to our sweet smog blanketed darlin'. We will miss her so, and there are a few things that she has to offer that we haven't yet (or lately) taken advantage of. Thus the List of Things to do in LA Before it's Too Late has been born.

Here's what we've got so far.

• Pinks
• Griffith Observatory
• Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles
• The Library Bar (not really an LA must-see, but I read about it on laist.com and it looked pretty cool)

That's about it so far. There would be more, but we've rocked this city pretty hard. Anybody know of anything we might have missed along the way?

Labels: Life, List of Things to Do in LA Before it's Too Late

posted by M @ 3:18 PM - 9 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

I know. I know. It's Wednesday. but let's pretend.

So the plans for NYC are getting more solidified every day. Moving across the country is a scary proposition. We're about to set out in to the unknown - away from all our friends, families, favorite restaurants, bars and hotspots. What's it going to be like when we get there? What if we don't make any new friends? Will we find pizza as good as Casa Bianca? Does anyone there know how to make a decent taco? Where are we going to get tasty onion rings?

All of this will be figured out. It is an exciting move to undertake, and, as Will Oldham helps me remember, there's peace, love, and wonderful things everywhere you look.

Minor Place - Bonnie Prince Billy (mp3)

Labels: Life, Tunesday

posted by M @ 4:30 PM - 3 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

I'm sorry, but I am just not cut out to work in an office any longer, which is good because my time here is coming to an end. You know why it is no good, this sitting in an office? Because it's boring. I need to have a drum solo break every half an hour. That would be my kind of office. Well, Tom. It's almost 10:30. Time to pull out the electric guitars. Or maybe dance breaks. We all go out into the hall, crank up some James Brown, and just freak out for a minute or so. But no. We get coffee breaks, which are great, don't get me wrong. I mean I love going outside and letting the sun warm my frozen heart for a few minutes, but there's no fire. I need some kind of artistic outlet. You think van Gogh would have survived in an office 40 hours out of his week? No freakin' way man! He would have walked out into the parking lot and shot himself in the chest, which I guess he did anyway, but not as soon as he would have. Not that I'm suicidal, just bored. Bored. Board. Booooooooared. So, what do you say? Let's have a bored meeting. Cause I am the Director of the Bored. I am Bored President, and the first item on the agenda: pacman.

Labels: Life

posted by M @ 1:48 PM - 2 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

Well, hey there Mr. Cubicle. It's good to be back.

Really?

No, not really.

But it is good to be back in town seeing friends, hanging out, and getting Darren ready for marriage by golfing, drinking a few beers, and eating a giant 3 foot wide pizza.

Now comes the selling, boxing, and eventually driving what's left of all our stuff to our soon-to-be-new home, Gotham City. We're excited to be setting out on this new venture, but are nervous and sad to leave. So give us a call. Hang out with us. Let's make these next two months a whirlwind of good vibes and awesome-ness.

Also, I know all of you missed out on some good meow-related news during our absence, and I would hate to disappoint you, so we have a special treat for you today. Or, should I say, a treat for you and for all your feline friends. The Make Magazine Blog had an entry the other day teaching how to make "super" catnip by distilling and isolating nepetalactone.

Enjoy.

Labels: Life, Meow

posted by M @ 11:20 AM - 2 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

So we arrived last night after an massive travel day, much of it spent in the air. We are happy to be home but very tired and already missing our beloved France. After a few days of processing (both for us and for the computer) we will hopefully be able to upload some more photos of the trip.

I will leave you however with this question.

Which of the following words/phrases were used by the Hippie Couple sitting next to us on our 11 hour flight from London?

a. Amsterdam

b. War in Iraq

c. Vegetarian

d. I don't trust apples that don't turn brown

e. I'm going to miss out tent

f. Big Business

g. You could probably get a job in Humboldt

h. Refined Sugar

i. We need to declare our Barley Grains and Drinking Yogourt

j. All of the Above.

Labels: Life, on Holiday - Spring 2007

posted by M @ 3:38 PM - 3 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

Well.

We are currently in Sarlat, at a beautiful outdoor plein air market. We showed up, already excited to visit the market, and who do we run in to but ol' Rick Steves, travel-show host extraordinaire and all around good guy. He was filming an upcoming special about this region (Perigord), which makes sense, because it is fantastic.

We're staying up the road in a small (and I mean small) town called La Forge, in an old Manor. We spent much of the first day relaxing, reading, taking walks through the countryside, watching the sheep graze and fleeing from the angry geese that chased us. (Perigord is the Goose, Pork and Walnut capital of France).

Yesterday we took a road trip and visited Rocamadour, amazing, and the Gouffre de Padirac, absolutely breathtaking. We picknicked on the side of the road like all good French people seem to do, and had an all around fantastic time.

It looks like we going to be heading up to Normandy after we leave here to visit Giverny, Mont St. Michel, and the D-Day landings. We're sad that our days here are coming to a close, but are excited to be coming home. (Mainly because L. seems to becoming more and more homesick for the kitties). Love you all!

Labels: Life, on Holiday - Spring 2007

posted by M @ 2:45 AM - 6 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

So here we are in Il de Re, a beautiful island of the west coast of France. This place is amazing. We're staying in the town of La Flotte, an ancient fishing village, complete with pirate bars, yachts, and men with serious beards smoking pipes.

The night we arrived we went for a walk on a compressed salt sand path on the coast and marveled at the way the tide goes completely out, leaving hundreds of boats marooned on the sand. As we came back in to town, we heard the sounds of accordian playing in a small tent to celebrate the annual fishing festival. A small crowd congregated stomping their feet, clapping, and yelling at all the appropriate ti,es.

My heart about burst.

We've been having a wonderful time, and would love to show you pictures to prove the point, but Mr. Computer has decided yet again to bid us au revoir. He will work for stretches at a time, but only after much pleading and bribary on our part, and we have decided it is beneath us. So, until we get back, you'll have to take our word for it.

Now, did someone say poissons?

Labels: Life, on Holiday - Spring 2007

posted by M @ 8:45 AM - 1 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This

Ah Paris! Ah Computer! It arises from the dead to supply pictures. Miracles do happen. Life is beautiful. Here we go.


L in front of Notre Dame.


Such a wonderful place. We spent a few hours inside on Saturday morning while it rained taking pictures of various beautiful moments. The way the light reflected off of certain surfaces. The shadow of grill work on a tile floor. This is taken from behind the apse.


I bought a fantastic new French pipe from a small store in the Latin quarter. Here I am in front of the fountain of St. Michel right around the corner.



Sunday was free day for all of the museums in Paris. We hit every one we could and painted the town Pantone 292. (Jokes for graphic design nerds)


Much of our time is spent reading, talking, and relaxing at various cafes and parks around town. Here I am reading at the fountain in the Louvre’s park. Notice the little French children in the background pushing their rented wooden sailboat with a stick. Yes, they are that adorable.


It wouldn’t be a true Mouse & the Billionaire trip without a little Ice Cream. Here we are on the top of Montmarte enjoying life.

Thanks for all of your comments and emails. We have been missing you all terribly and can’t wait to see you soon. Tomorrow we head to Versailles to explore L’s new favourite subject: French royalty, especially Marie Antoinette. Maybe we will bring a bottle of Champagne with us and try to relive her endless parties.

We love you all,

M and L

Labels: Life, on Holiday - Spring 2007

posted by M @ 12:35 PM - 6 comments / EmailThis / Permalink / Digg This